The
Nigerian presidency has expressed concern with the use of voter card
readers for the forthcoming elections, questioning its legality and
efficiency, and defending an earlier position of the ruling Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP on the matter.
Vice President Namadi
Sambo said Thursday that while his party was not against the use of card
readers, which the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,
says will help curb vote fraud, it was concerned whether the decision is
backed by law and about the possibility of many Nigerians being
disenfranchised.
The PDP has strongly
criticised the use of card reading machines for the polls, while the
opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, backs INEC’s plan to deploy
them for what is billed to be a close poll.
The ruling party
argues that the use of any machine is not allowed under Nigerian
electoral laws, but INEC says the electronic readers will be used only
for card verification, and not voting.
The electoral body has
also assured that it will provide for manual screening of voters where
the machines fail, to ensure no one is disenfranchised – another concern
expressed by the PDP.
The APC defends INEC, saying it welcomes
any effort to ensure credible polls. The party accuses the PDP of
plotting to rig the elections, hence its decision to oppose machine
readers.
Mr. Sambo’s remarks, Thursday, were the first from the presidency on the card reader controversy.
Speaking
in Kano, Mr. Sambo said his party cannot be afraid of the card readers
as it is certain of winning the presidential and governorship elections.
He said the party was only kicking against the use of the
machines, as they may fail, leading to the disenfranchisement of many
Nigerians.
The vice president also questioned the machine’s place in the Electoral Law.
“If
it is not there (in the law) then does it mean it is illegal? And can
we depend on an illegal thing when we are talking of a free and fair
election that will lead to having credible leaders?” he asked.
He
said the PDP was making frantic efforts to ensure Nigerians elect
leaders through an election worthy of international recognition.
Mr. Sambo urged Nigerians to take a careful look at the electoral law and see whether the use of card readers is recognized.
He said the PDP is the only party for Nigerians, being fully established in all parts of the country.
“Our
party has been there since 1998,” he said. “It has never changed name
or colour. It is the party Nigerians want and the party they will vote
in to continue doing good things.”
Credit: Premium Times
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